Route from Noukchott to Bamako - Any tips?

[Down2Capetown]

Hi all,

We are currently in Rabat working on our route from Nouakchot to Bamako which we'll be undertaking in the next few weeks.

Most likely we'll go through Diama-Dakar and then N1, but since it's election time in Senegal which makes developments unpredictable, we would appreciate all tips or alternative routes.

Best regards, safe travels,

Maarten & Vincent

[rsstler]

I'd avoid Mali as it looks like things have just kicked off. Reported coup ahead of next months elections.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ko-after-63338

What is your final destination?

[Down2Capetown]

Thanks for your reply. Our final destination is Capetown, if possible along the westcoast. By the looks of it though it seems quite difficult to accomplish this without passing through Mali. So for now we'll go for Mauritania and Senegal (if possible) and see what our options are when we're in Dakar. Once again, suggestions are more than welcome!

Ps: Funny thing is, we picked up our Mali visa's in Rabat today. Borders may be closed, at least we got the paperwork in order!

[Peter King]

Sorry about your bad luck,

A possibility is to go via Senegal (Diama not Rosso), Guinee (Koundara, Labe, Mamou, Kissidougou, Lola), Cote d'Ivoire (not so bad now I believe) (Man, Gagnoa, Gand Bassam (avoid staying in Abidjan)) and the border at Elubo to Ghana, from where you are OK to carry on!

Good Luck,

Peter

[lbendel]

Chances are that it will calm down within a couple weeks, so if you can allow it, spend more time exploring Morocco (where I am: it's cold but it's a great country).

The route through Senegal, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire is the one I've just taken (backwards): it's very nice (especially Guinea) and completely safe - just wait until Wade concedes the defeat. The only problem is the visa for Cote d'Ivoire..

Cheers,
Laurent

[Down2Capetown]

Thanks for the input Peter & Laurent. The suggested route seems like a good idea, we're going to look into it. We might spent some more time in Morocco, but waiting for a post-coup country to calm down comes a little to close to 'A watched pot never boils'

What problems did you encounter with the Cote d'Ivoire visa? Expensive? Lot of required documents?

Thanks again,

Maarten

[ta-rider]

Hi,

I would aviod Senegal and travel from Mauretania directly into Mali. This way you save a lot of hassle at the so called worst boarder of africa. At least that was what i did:

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

Greetings from Venezuela, Tobi

[inyang]

Originally Posted by Down2Capetown

Hi all,

We are currently in Rabat working on our route from Nouakchot to Bamako which we'll be undertaking in the next few weeks.

Most likely we'll go through Diama-Dakar and then N1, but since it's election time in Senegal which makes developments unpredictable, we would appreciate all tips or alternative routes.

Best regards, safe travels,

Maarten & Vincent

Are you on a car/truck or bike?

I passed through Mali-Mauritania-Morocco last week

I took Bamako-Noro-Kiffa-Nouakchott

Petrol was not available from the border with Mali to Kiffa then not available till about a 100km to Nouakchott.

If the borders are open, passing through Mali should be ok.